Warhammer World Birthday Battle: The Hunt for Cawl

THE HUNT FOR CAWL

STORY EVENT 1

Unbeknownst to Greyfax, Guilliman had been monitoring progress from afar.  His concern was that despite Cawl’s extreme age and fragile appearance, Greyfax might underestimate the resourcefulness of the rogue archmagos.  Indeed, even he did not know the full extent of Cawl’s abilities and influence, and he would leave nothing to chance.

As feared, things were not progressing at sufficient pace.  Cawl’s plans were advancing and he could not be allowed to escape.

“Are we within range yet, Admiral?” enquired Guilliman of the senior bridge officer.

“Yes, my Lord.  Entering range now”.

“Good.  Prepare for teleportation”.

With a bright blue flash Rouboute Guilliman appears on the battlefield.  Resplendent in the Armour of Fate, and with the Emperor’s sword flaming brightly, the Lord Commander of the Imperium charges into battle.

The Imperium player may place Roboute Guilliman anywhere on the battlefield that is at least 12 inches from an enemy model.  He may move, shoot, charge and fight this turn as normal.  He may not interact with objectives but he may attack any units he chooses.

The lone Custodes Shield Captain scythed through Kamron Delta Rho as though he were made of parchment, and strode up to confront Cawl as three remaining Skitarii Rangers dashed to face the newly appeared Guilliman – a last ditch effort to buy the Archmagos the time he needed.  Katarinya Greyfax, ashamed at her failure, summoned up her remaining energy to cast a psychic smite on Cawl from range.  She managed to inflict a number of wounds before Cawl could react to the Custodes threat, but the Archmagos stood firm.  The Shield Captain unleashed a volley at his target but the defensive systems of Cawl deflected every blow.  Annoyed at the disruption, Cawl brought his enhanced weapon systems online and in the blink of an eye had vaporised the pesky imperial servant.  Simultaneously however, Guilliman brushed the last Skitarii aside and before the Archmagos could return to his work, the Lord Commander of the Imperium charged at Cawl, fury boiling in his eyes.

“Archmagos Belisarius Cawl!  Heed my words!” Guilliman spat out the words with a venom he had not felt for centuries.  “You are not above my rule.  You are not exempt from Imperial law.  You will come willingly, now, or you will be destroyed.  Your choice, Archmagos.”

“You are too late Guilliman.  My work here is done.  I have completed my greatest creation and in just a few seconds every living thing in the vicinity that is not connected to the noosphere will be rendered senseless.  I will then return to Mars and restore the Adeptus Mechanicus to the true power in this…this..Imperium!”

“A few seconds you say?” Guilliman scoffed. “That’s all I need.  Goodbye Belisarius.”

With a speed that even the super enhanced cognitive capability of Cawl could not quite comprehend, Guilliman whirled and plunged the Sword of the Emperor deep into the mass of cables, tubes and ancient technology that represented the unhuman body of the Archmagos.  Instantly the stricken shell powered down and lay still, defeated.  It was over.

Back in his sanctum on Macragge’s Honour, Guilliman shook his head disappointedly.  Is this what his once great Imperium has become?  Cawl, He’stan, Greyfax.  They all failed.  Who could he rely on now?  He was a Primarch, yes, but he was still just one man.  He could not be everywhere at once.  If he allowed it, he would feel weary.  But he would not allow it.  Not when there was still so much to done.

What remained of the living organs of the once-human named Belisarius Cawl would be saved and spared, and made to face severe punishment for his crimes.  Guilliman hoped that perhaps one day, maybe, he could once more call Cawl his ally.  But this day was not that day.

THE END

Wow, what a game!  It came down to the last dice roll of the last turn.  It would have required an incredible dice roll for Cawl to have survived Guilliman’s fury at the end there, and he’d used up a lot of luck doing exactly that against the Shield Captain’s attack.

The scenario was written as a narrative – my take on the events after Dark Imperium.  I was delighted that the game went exactly as I had hoped – the result wasn’t especially important (yes – I lost!!) –  but it came down to the two main protagonists at the end.  The Salamander’s also managed to find and secure the artefact so it was a 10-0 win for the Imperium.

The visit to Warhammer World was also fantastic.  The gaming table was great, I ate too much food, but I did manage not to bankrupt myself in the shop!  Thanks to my brother to coming with me for my birthday battle.  I’ve returned knackered but buzzing with ideas for new projects!